Social security number

Social Security Number (SSN) is a nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary (working) residents under section 205(c)(2) of the Social Security Act. The number is issued to individuals by the Social Security Administration (SSA), an independent agency of the United States government. Its primary purpose is to track individuals for Social Security benefits and for other identification purposes.

History

The Social Security Number was created in 1936 as part of The New Deal to serve as an account number for the administration of the Social Security system. Originally, the SSN was intended solely to track earnings and eligibility for Social Security benefits. However, over time, it has become a de facto national identification number for taxation and other purposes.

Format

The SSN is composed of three parts: the area number, the group number, and the serial number. The area number reflects the state in which the SSN was issued. This part of the SSN has undergone changes over the years due to the Social Security Administration's need to accommodate for the growing population and changes in the allocation process.

Usage

While initially intended to track earnings and determine Social Security benefits, the SSN has become a universal identifier used for various purposes. These include taxation by the Internal Revenue Service, background checks, credit checks, and identification for employment. Its widespread use has raised concerns regarding privacy and identity theft.

Privacy and Security

The widespread use of SSNs has led to increased risks of identity theft and fraud. In response, there have been efforts to protect individuals' SSNs from unauthorized access. Laws such as the Privacy Act of 1974 and provisions in the Social Security Protection Act of 2003 have been enacted to limit the disclosure and usage of SSNs. Despite these protections, the risk of personal information being compromised remains a significant concern.

Recent Developments

In recent years, the Social Security Administration has made efforts to enhance the security around SSNs. This includes the introduction of the "randomization" project in 2011, which eliminated the geographical significance of the first three digits of the SSN, making it more difficult for fraudsters to guess an SSN based on known information about an individual.

Conclusion

The Social Security Number has evolved from a means to track workers' earnings and determine their Social Security benefits to a universal identifier used for various governmental and commercial purposes. While it has become an essential part of American life, its widespread use has also raised significant privacy and security concerns.